Windows (song)
{{about||the jazz standard|Windows (composition)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Windows
| cover = Windows (Take That song).jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Take That
| album = This Life
| released = 22 September 2023
| recorded = 2023
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 3:58
| label = EMI
| writer = *Gary Barlow
| producer = Dave Cobb
| prev_title = Greatest Day (Robin Schulz Rework)
| prev_year = 2023
| next_title = Brand New Sun
| next_year = 2023
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|dfNb7Z5SW7o|"Windows"}}|header=Music videos}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|p_rvOV2lU-4|"Windows" (Acoustic)}}|header=no}}
}}
"Windows" is a song by the English pop group Take That. It was released by EMI Records on 22 September 2023 as the first single from their ninth studio album, This Life (2023). It was written by Take That, and produced by Grammy-winner Dave Cobb with Gary Barlow on lead vocals.
Background
The song was recorded in RCA Studio A in Nashville, Tennessee.{{cite web|url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/take-that-windows-single/|title=Take That Throws Open the 'Windows' On First Original Composition In Five Years|date=22 September 2023 |access-date=14 October 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/take-that-return-announce-new-album-and-announce-massive-uk-and-ireland-stadium-tour-pre-order-buy-tickets-3502377|title=Take That announce new album 'This Life', detail massive UK and Ireland tour|date=22 September 2023 |publisher=NME|access-date=14 October 2023}}
Critical reception
Smooth Radio labelled the song "gorgeous".{{cite web|url=https://www.smoothradio.com/artists/take-that/windows-new-album-this-life-tour/|title=Take That unveil gorgeous new single 'Windows' as they announce new album and UK tour|access-date=14 October 2023}} The Independent noted "the track dials into the family-friendly Seventies soft rock of bands like America with its casual electric guitars and falsetto yearnings".{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/take-that-this-life-review-gary-barlow-b2452253.html|title=Take That review, This Life: Cosy collection of durable, hummable, very English songs|website=Independent.co.uk |date=23 November 2023 |access-date=28 November 2023}}
Music video
The music video was directed by Ben Tricklebank and is based on the idea that the band are like three caged birds. They are longing to escape but individually aren't certain if they can still fly. Only once they are together are they able to take flight again.
Tricklebank stated: "Universal sent out a really interesting brief that was centered around a technique of connecting moments through windows within each scene."{{cite web|url=https://www.lbbonline.com/news/ben-tricklebank-joins-forces-with-take-that-to-create-striking-music-video-for-new-single-windows|title=Ben Tricklebank joins forces with Take That to create striking music video for new single Windows|website=Little Black Book Online|date=13 November 2023|access-date=13 November 2023}}
Chart performance
"Windows" entered the UK Singles Downloads Chart at number three on 29 September 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-downloads-chart/20230929/7000/|title=Official Singles Downloads Chart on 29/9/2023 29 September 2023 - 5 October 2023|website=Official Charts|date=29 September 2023|access-date=30 September 2023}}
Personnel
- Gary Barlow – lead vocals
- Howard Donald – backing vocals
- Mark Owen – backing vocals
Charts
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Chart performance for "Windows" !scope="col"| Chart (2023) !scope="col"| Peak |
| {{single chart|UKdownload|3|date=20230929|rowheader=true|access-date=29 September 2023}} |
| scope="row" | UK Singles Sales (OCC){{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-sales-chart/20230929/7509/|title=Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=29 September 2023}}
| 4 |
|---|
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Take That}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Songs written by Gary Barlow
Category:Songs written by Mark Owen